A+ Guy getting into Server Administration

Hey Guys, this is my first post on this forum. I was referred to this site by a CCNA friend.
I'm A+ Certified, currently studying for Network+.
I have Servers running 2003 and 2008 at my disposal. The 2003s are being phased out.
I've been offered to advance at my work if I get the MCITP 2008 SA. I have made it my goal. I've looked at the 70-640 book and it is written on the assumption the reader has about a year experience in AD SA.
Which I don't.
Is there some prerequisite I need before attempting Server 2008?
Even CompTIA's Server+ wants 18-24 months of experience!
Where do I start? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'm A+ Certified, currently studying for Network+.
I have Servers running 2003 and 2008 at my disposal. The 2003s are being phased out.
I've been offered to advance at my work if I get the MCITP 2008 SA. I have made it my goal. I've looked at the 70-640 book and it is written on the assumption the reader has about a year experience in AD SA.

Is there some prerequisite I need before attempting Server 2008?
Even CompTIA's Server+ wants 18-24 months of experience!

Where do I start? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
_________________________________
Studying for CompTIA Network+ N10-004
Next Goal - CCENT
Secondary Goal - CCNA
Tertiary Goal - CCNA Security or Security+
Studying for CompTIA Network+ N10-004
Next Goal - CCENT
Secondary Goal - CCNA
Tertiary Goal - CCNA Security or Security+
Comments
I'm pretty much doing the same with MCSA on Server 2003. I've got a wee bit of experience with SBS 2003, but that's it, and so I have a lot of ramping up to do. And virtualization is the key to getting that hands on experience/practice so you can apply what you read up on in the books.
Next Up: Security+, 291?
Enrolled in Masters program: CS 2011 expected completion
Forget that. You have to start somewhere. If I were you and about to tackle so many new concepts, I would get the CBT Nuggets for what you are doing. In addition to that, some books also - preferably not the MS Press books IMHO.
I jumped straight in to the MCP tracks right after my A+ cert and found that it was a bit daughnting at first, the problem i had was that as soon as i discovered something new or cool, i would learn it, but then that spurs you off somewhere else. Im learning for the 291 at the moment, but i really want to get sharepoint server knowledge, exchange and sql server knowledge. Pick an exam and stick to it! thats the main key.
If i had done the Network+ it would have really geared me more to setting up the servers for the exam testing, so doing the Network+ now is the right choice.
Personally i would go through videos from a range of exams, like the CBT nuggets for exams 70-620 and 70-640 and then go through the video for 70-642.
Doing this will give you no certs for around 6 months if you spend 2 months on each, but by doing this you'll probably find as i did that doing the exams after the reading will be a lot easier, and the fact that youll gain extra knowledge in areas outside the exam range (as i mentioned above about jumping to another subject) so, its really up to you to decide, but this is what i did and im around a month from my MCSA!
Of course, you could jump right in and do each exam in 2 months, but you wont remember as much, and you'll end up finding the harder exams really hard!
MCSE:2003 ~ MCITP:EA ~ CCNP:R&S ~ CCNA:R&S ~ CCNA:Voice ~ Office 2000 MASTER ~ A+ ~ N+ ~ C&G:IT Diploma ~ Ofqual Entry Japanese
That's not necessarily true. It's all about the individual, how they learn, and how much experience they have. 2 years is kind of long I would think. I spent 6 months doing my MCSE from start to finish which is 7 exams and MCITP:EA is only 5 exams.
Not that its bad doing all that in 6 months, it depends on how you learn, but i bet you wouldnt know half as much as sombody who took time to practice each part of each exam? also, jumping quickly to another subject will give you more experience, you cant learn everything from exam, they're good to get you off your feet though!
by the way meadit, how long have you been working in IT? just curious?
MCSE:2003 ~ MCITP:EA ~ CCNP:R&S ~ CCNA:R&S ~ CCNA:Voice ~ Office 2000 MASTER ~ A+ ~ N+ ~ C&G:IT Diploma ~ Ofqual Entry Japanese
Yeah I have the MS-Press books for SA 2008. Right now I'm after the three exams to get the SA. Then hopefully if I'm not to burnt out, go for EA.
I'll definitely check out CBT Nuggets. Anybody use TrainSignal?
So the 290 & 291 for 2003, is that really good for one with "NO Server Experience"?
Studying for CompTIA Network+ N10-004
Next Goal - CCENT
Secondary Goal - CCNA
Tertiary Goal - CCNA Security or Security+
A+ > Net+ > 70-620 Vista > 70-290 > 70-291 = MCSA 2003
Or bite the bullet and just go straight into MCITP:SA. Its doable, but this case you'll need to find some way to get practice/lab time with a sharper learning curve.
Well, now you're just jumping to conclusions. You're assuming that I didn't practice each and every lab in my training materials at least once. Two or three times if I didn't understand a subject thoroughly.
I've been in IT for about 4.5 years now, but started out on the DB side of things and am now doing systems analysis. I've also spent the last 5 years on and off earning two Associate degrees: Networking and Web Technologies.
I certainly appreciate everyone's advice, I am finding this forum quite helpful!
Studying for CompTIA Network+ N10-004
Next Goal - CCENT
Secondary Goal - CCNA
Tertiary Goal - CCNA Security or Security+
I'm in the same boat as you, thanks for putting up this thread. I have all the 2003 books, but I'm wondering if I should just jump straight in to MCITP:SA
Sophomore - Computer Science, Mathematics
Same here
MCP
MCSA
MCSE
MCTS: Windows Vista Configuration
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
I figured it would take at least 2-3 years for MCITP to really catch on, so I decided to go with MCSE first. I guess it really depends on how long you think it'll take to complete one of the tracks. If it's going to be more than 2-3 years, MCITP may be your better choice.
if i did the 620 exam, can i use it towards my MCSE and my MCITP:EA? or can it only count once?
MCSE:2003 ~ MCITP:EA ~ CCNP:R&S ~ CCNA:R&S ~ CCNA:Voice ~ Office 2000 MASTER ~ A+ ~ N+ ~ C&G:IT Diploma ~ Ofqual Entry Japanese
Jumping straight in to the MCITP:SA beginning with the 620 is probably that route?
Sophomore - Computer Science, Mathematics
Sophomore - Computer Science, Mathematics
640
642
646
The EA I would need
640
642
643
620
647
That's fresh without any of the 2003 tests. According to my printout from another tread. The SA seemed like a good place to start so I can get my app in to the server ops group here at my work this year.
Sophomore - Computer Science, Mathematics
Sophomore - Computer Science, Mathematics
MCSE:2003 ~ MCITP:EA ~ CCNP:R&S ~ CCNA:R&S ~ CCNA:Voice ~ Office 2000 MASTER ~ A+ ~ N+ ~ C&G:IT Diploma ~ Ofqual Entry Japanese